Methodist Bishops Seek Complaint Over Gay Wedding

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. -- The United Methodist Council of Bishops says it plans to file a complaint against a retired bishop who performed a wedding for two gay men in Alabama.

Bishop Melvin G. Talbert of Nashville, Tenn., performed the wedding last month even though the local bishop and other leaders asked him not to, saying it violated church law.

The council said in a statement Friday that addressed the issue at its annual meeting this week in North Caroline. It said that it asked its president, Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, to file the complaint against Talbert for "undermining the ministry of a colleague and conducting a ceremony to celebrate the marriage of a same gender couple."